Local DAR group turns 100

The Ocala chapter of the DAR owns a historical and memorial piece of property on the campus of the Fort King National Historic Landmark. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman]

The members of the Ocala chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution are celebrating their 100th anniversary this month.

“For the past 100 years, the Ocala DAR chapter has been present, helping during the war efforts, encouraging veterans and servicemen and women, providing scholarships to local students and preserving historic landmarks, specifically Fort King,” Renee Coventry, regent of the chapter wrote in an email.

The chapter is holding special events for their members this month and, in collaboration with the American Battlefield Trust, is sponsoring “The American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibition,” which highlights people’s lives during the era of the Revolutionary War. The touring display can be seen 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 21 in the North Hall at Christ the King Anglican Church at 4440 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala. Admission is free.

The local DAR Chapter was founded during a 1925 luncheon, according to the Florida State Society DAR website.
“The Ocala Chapter, NSDAR, was organized in March of 1925. Eleven women attended a meeting at the home of Luella Gary Helvenston. A six-course luncheon was served, and the ladies were presented with the idea to establish a Daughters of the American Revolution chapter in Ocala. Today, we are more than 145 members strong, own a historical and memorial property at Fort King, a National Historic Site, and our interactive and informative meetings still center around a luncheon,” the website states.

According to dar.org/national-society/historic-sites-and-properties/fort-king, “On Feb. 4, 2004, Fort King was declared a National Historical Landmark. This was the birthplace of Ocala, FL and named after the extinct Timucan Indians. Fort King was built around 1827 and was the site of military headquarters built to protect nearby settlers. This site includes one acre of land owned by the Ocala DAR chapter and is now leased to the city of Ocala/Marion County with the purpose of making this historical site available to the public, to preserve and protect it because of its historical significance. The Ocala Chapter, NSDAR marked the property in 1933. It purchased in 1927 an acre of land to protect the original burial site for both soldiers and civilians. After the Seminal Wars ended, the bodies were moved to St. Augustine.”

Coventry provided the following list of members who have been recognized for their contributions:

* 50 years uninterrupted service to the Ocala Chapter: Kathie Radcliffe

* DAR Distinguished Citizen Medals to Veterans & Daughters: Joyce Gaines and Diane Trice

* DAR Historic Preservation Award: Kathy Walkup Sheppard for preserving the oral stories of Marion County

* DAR Woman in American History: FSSDAR State Regent, Cindy Addison

To learn more, go to fssdar.com/Ocala, dar.org and battlefield.org